Cebu City Village Chiefs Partner With Police in Drive Against Crimes

The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), the group of village chiefs in Cebu City, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the police to beef up the campaign against criminality.

Cebu City Councilor Philip Zafra, ABC president, said the MOA formalizes the alliance of the barangays and the police in the fight against criminality, particularly on illegal drugs.

The MOA also creates Oplan Pokemon, which stands for “Pakigbatukan Og Sugpuon ang Krimen ug ang dautang Epekto sa illegal nga drogas nga maoy Makaguba Og makadaut sa Nasud (fight crimes and the ill effects of illegal drugs which will destroy the nation).”

Zafra said the city’s 80 barangays were grouped to 11 clusters, with one police station each, which will work together in their anti-criminality campaign.

The officers of the 11 clusters took their oath Wednesday before Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino at the chapel of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 at Camp Sergio Osmena Sr. In Cebu City.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, PRO 7 Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño and Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Senior Supt. Joel Doria attended the activity.

As part of their commitment, the group will meet once a month to evaluate and validate the information relayed to the police and the action taken against it.

“The group will be helpful to the police since information they will get will be direct from the barangays. During their operation also, the barangay will also help the police by giving any forms of assistance,” Zafra said. (PNA) FPV/EB/EDS